Photograph and mount.



Patented Apr. 2,1901.

No. 67!,2l3.

R. W. JOHNSTON. PHOTOGRAPH AND HUNT.

(Application filed Julie 26, 1900.)

("0 Model.)

ma non): PETERS w. Puomumoq wnsuluswn. n. c,

RALPH W. JOHNSTON, OF GRAFTON, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO RALPH W. JOHNSTON (it 00., OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

AND MOUNT.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 671,213, dated April 2, 1901.

Application filed June 26, 1900; Serial No. 21,633. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RALPH W. JOHNSTON,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Grafton, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Photographs and Mounts, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a face view with portions broken away, showing the manner of mounting photographs with an intermediate flexible base. Fig. 2 is a portion of a similar View, showing the flexible base projecting at one side, pro-' viding means for attachment in binding. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line III III of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 1, showing an arrangement wherein the photograph is mounted on one side only. Fig. 5 is a crosssection on the line V V of Fig. 4:. Fig.6 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing an arrangement wherein photographs are mounted on both outer sides of an intermediate flexible base and counteracting medium. cross-section on the line VII VII of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing an arrangement wherein photographs are-mounted on both outer sides of an intermediate flexible base with an intervening counteracting medium on each side of the base. Fig. 9' is a cross-section on the line IX IXof Fig. 8.

My invention relates to the art of mounting photographic prints and relates to means for counteracting the tendency of the prints to curl by opposing such tendency on one side either by another opposite print or by a medium having the same tendency to curl,but in the opposite direction.

It consists in providing a convenient base of flexible material for mounting theprint; and it consists, further, in the employment of means forcounteracting the curling tendency which will at the same time serve to provide a smooth surface for pasting the print to, and thus obviate the disadvantage of a flexible base having a rough surface not well adapted to receive the print.

As is well known, photographic prints have a tendency to curl outwardly, due to the quality of sizing and to the expansive action of Fig. 7 is a the back surface when pasted upon the mount. In the practice of my invention I employ a base 2, of flexible cloth material, linen, muslin, &c., and in the simplest form (shown in Fig. 1,) the prints 3 are pasted on each side of the base face out and pressed downsmooth and flat until dry, when they will retain their flat condition, each print adhering closely to the base and counteracting the curling tendency of the other. When it is desired to bind the photographs, the base 2 extends outwardly at one side, as at 2 in Fig.2, thus providing a good means for this purpose. The base 2, being composed of a woven or textile substance or material, provides an elastic intermediate medium, which will readily adapt itself to the varying strains due to the tension of the print or of the oppositely-disposed back, and by this means each side is free to contract independent to a large extent of the other side.

The cloth base is used in as dry a condition as possible, so that when the print and back are pasted upon it it will by reason of its comparative freedom from moisture constitute an elasticfoundation for both sides,

which will readily conform to the strains and will in a sense provide an opportunity for the expansive or contractive leverage of the outer faces in the operation of drying.

When it is desired to mount the photograph on one side only of the base, I employ a counteracting medium 4, pasted to the other side of thin tissue-paper or of other paper of greater thickness or texture, as desired and according to the conditions of the Work, and I have found good results from the quality known as onion-skin. This not only maintainsthe print in a flat condition, but provides 0 a smooth cover for'the back side of the base and gives it a finished appearance. Another special advantage in this thin paper is that it provides an excellent surface, by reason of its smoothness, for mounting the print, and 5 in Figs. 6 and S I have shown arrangements wherein this quality is utilized. I

The tissue-paper is pasted on oneor both sides of the base, and on each outer side is pasted the print. Where the tissue is used on one side only, the print on the other side is rendered smooth by first having been laid face down on a smooth plate, as glass, or after both prints are pasted the Whole combination may be passed through pressure-rollers, cementing the various portions together and giving a smooth finish, due to the use of the tissue. When the tissue is applied to one side only and used as a base for a print opposite to the one on the other side, then the tissue may be proportionately light and thin, so that its counteracting tendency, combined With that of its print, will not appreciably eX- ceed that of the opposite print, thus insuring symmetrical action. It Will be understood that the-Weight and thickness of the various parts throughout may be regulated and adjusted to each other so as to maintain in whatever combinations are made an equalizing action.

I am aware that I am not the first to utilize the counteracting tendency of oppositely-disposed prints placed back to back, and have examined the patent to D. K. Zumwalt, No. 400,031, which described a process of placing prints back to back without any intervening medium; but my invention contains other valuable features of improvement in the art in the elements of the flexible base, the projecting binding edge, and the tissue facinglayers.

The ad vantages of the invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, as it provides a simple, cheap, and eXtremely-satis.

factory means for mounting photographs either singly or in book form, an especially valuable feature for the latter Work being the great compactness and small thickness,whereby a great many photographs may be confined Within a limited space.

Having described my invention, What I claim is- 1. A photograph and mount consisting of a base of flexible cloth, a print pasted on one side thereof, and a thin tissue back pasted on the other side, closely incorporated with the base, providing a finished back surface and constituting a counteracting medium whereby the curling tendency of the print is obviated and the mount is maintained in a flat con- (liiion, substantially as set forth.

2. A photograph and mount consisting of a base of flexible materiahprovided with a binding edge, a print pasted on one side thereof, and a thin tissue back pasted on the other side closely incorporated with the base, providing a finished back surface, and constituting a counteracting medium, whereby the curling tendency of the printis obviated and the mount is maintained in a flat condition, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

RALPH W. JOHNSTON.

Vitnesses:

PETER J. EDWARDS, O. M. CLARKE. 

